Building warrant in Edinburgh, why do you need one ?

What is a building warrant?

A building warrant is the legal permission to carry out building work. In order to get a warrant in Edinburgh, the work you’re planning to do must conform to building regulations.Building contractors need to work on outdoor rather than indoor projects during the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. But, you should start planning your Edinburgh renovation or remodeling, redecorating job and sign your home renovation contract these days. Thus, you’ll be on the top of building contractors waiting lists when lockdown will be eased.Over the past year, many of us have been spending more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consequence, the majority of homeowners are looking for solutions and ways to make their homes adjusted to their new realities.

How to apply for a building warrant in the city of Edinburgh City council?

You may apply for a Building Warrant via the eBuilding Standards website.The ones who are already registered with ePlanning, should use the same login details.Paper versions of the needed forms are available to be downloaded from the website.We would suggest you to read the technical guidance for Domestic and Non-domestic applications.For larger and more complex projects you can request pre-application advice.You may also need planning permission.

Can I start work without a building warrant? 

The works that do not modify the resistance structure and / or the architectural aspect of the buildings can be carried out without a building warrant in Edinburgh. You are in the situation when the work be done does not change the architecture, the structure of resistance or the initial characteristics of the construction. Accordingly you can say that you do not need to apply for a building warrant at the City of Edinburgh Council.  Therefore, you can immediately start the desired renovation project. Alpha Business Contractors Ltd can connect you with specialists in order to get your needed building warrant in place.Architects and construction engineers tend to be concerned with unwanted situations that sometimes endanger real historical and architectural monuments. This aspect is even more important when you plan to perform a renovation. Of course, there are some conditions.When the building is not a historic monument, or is not in a protected area, YOU STILL NEED TO KEEP:

• the existing finishes, their color.
• the color and structure of the exterior carpentry.
• the shape and materials of the roof.

Here are the main works that can be done without applying for a building warrant 

• repairs to fences, when their shape and the materials of which they are made do not change ;
• repairs to roofs or terraces, balconies, when their shape does not change ;
• interior carpentry repairs and replacements repairs ;
• replacements of exterior carpentry, if the shape, dimensions of the openings and the carpentry are preserved. This includes changing the materials of which the respective carpentry are made of ;
• repairs and replacements of heating stoves and chimneys related ;
• plasters, paints, varnishes, plywood and other interior finishes ;
• interior floors repairs ;
• plasters, paints, varnishes,  plywood and other exterior finishes. UNLESS facade elements and building colors are changed ;
• repairs or replacements to interior plumbing or electric systems ;
• repairs to external connections and connections of any kind, related to constructions  ;
• installation of individual air conditioners and / or meters for utility consumption ;
• Repair, replacement or rehabilitation works, without changing the quality and architectural form and shape of the facade elements, as follows:
• 1. Sidewalks, retaining or load bearing walls or access stairs ;  2. Outdoor terraces;  3. Rehabilitation works of the thermic envelope and / or the roof ;  
• for individual residential buildings with at most 3 levels ;
• repairs and changes in non-structural, removable partitioning, made of lightweight materials ;
• change of facility (or building destination). This, ONLY with the condition when, for its achievement, no construction/demolition works are required. For the construction/ demolition works the law requires for the issuance of the construction/demolition permit. This permit will be issued within the building warrant in Edinburgh provisions ;

Do I need a building warrant issued by the city of Edinburgh Council?

You will need a building warrant (issued by City of Edinburgh Council), in order to can carry out building works like altering, taking down a load bearing wall, modification, extension, change of destination, erecting. You need the building warrant to be approved, in regard to make sure that your building works or renovation are in compliance with the Building Regulations. The building warrant in Edinburgh is the document granting you the right to:

• erect a construction or to consolidate, refurbish, renovate or repair an existing one, altering the resistance structure of the building; 
• construction, reconstruction, consolidation, alter, modification, demolish, extension, change of destination or repair of constructions of any kind, as well as related installations;
• Alter, reconstruction, extension, repair, consolidation, protection, restoration, conservation of buildings declared as historical monuments ;
• Another important action consists in defining the plan of your home renovation in Edinburgh: interior partitioning, functionalities, changing rooms destinations, electrical rewiring, new heating system ; 
• Following that, the designers – the architect, plus the structural engineers and electrician engineer, plumbers – will propose you solutions that cover your requirements. They will elaborate the draft authorization for each specialty : respectively architecture, resistance structure and installations (electricity, plumbing, new boiler, new heating system). Specialists will draw and issue, drawings and written documentation. All these needed documents will be signed and stamped by the authorized specialists, as required by law. Then, all mentioned documents will be submitted to the the City of Edinburgh Council in order to obtain the building warrant. You can apply for a building warrant in Edinburgh online.  All that lies between you and your dream of building your ideal house is the administrative and bureaucratic hassle
• Here is everything you need to know to get one of the most important documents you will need: the building warrant :

How long is the building warrant valid for?

The validity of a building warrant in Edinburgh will be of 3 (three) years, starting with the day of it’s releasing.   During this time, the persons concerned must start the construction works and complete them. However, if the work has not been completed within this period, an extension may be requested, proven that the work has started within that  3 (three) years time period.

Through the building warrant in Edinburgh, the issuer establishes:

• The approved works to be carried out
• The term of validity of the building warrant;
• The duration of the execution of the works ; 

When planning a renovation project, it is good to keep in mind that the building warrant is valid for a maximum of  three years from the date of issue. During this time you must start and complete the works. You start the project within 3 years but the works exceed the period for completion, as stipulated in the building warrant. In this case, you need to apply for an extension of the warrant. Just make sure you do that before the warrant expiry date.

Keep in mind that : During the works execution, unexpected changes might occur. If these changes aim for changing the authorized building warrant conditions, then you need to submit documents for a new building warrant.

Whenever these changes lead to the need to modify the initially approved plans, then you must apply for a NEW building warrant. 

What do you need to know about the extension of the validity of the building  warrant in Edinburgh?

Construction works have not been started or have not been fully completed within the deadlines established by the building  warrant, according to the legal provisions (mentioned above). In this case, the investor may request the issuing authority (City of Edinburgh Council) to extend the validity of the building warrant.

The extension of the building  warrant validity will be requested at least 15 working days before the expiration date of the validity term.  First validity extension can be granted, according to the Law, for 9 months. You will need to pay a  £100 for the application fee (validity application form type C) 

The decision on granting the extension of the building warrant validity  is the responsibility of its issuer. Decision is based on the examination of the application in relation to:

1. The public interest;
2. The complexity of the authorized works;
3. The stage of execution of the works ; 
4. The causes that led to the non-compliance with the execution terms provided in the initial building warrant.

The extension of the validity of the building warrant will be included in the original of the initially issued permit. There is no need to submit any additional documentation in order to obtain a 9 months building warrant validity extension.

What do you need to know about the loss of validity of the building warrant ? What about the issuance of a new one?

It should be noted that the building warrant loses its validity under these circumstances:a) Failure to start the works within the validity period of 3 (three) years  as established by the authorized building warrant , if the extension of the building warrant validity has not been requested;

b) Non-completion of the works within the term granted as an extension of the building warrant validity;

c) Modification ( changing ) of the conditions, data or content of the documentation that were the basis for issuing the authorization.

In the situations described above, it is necessary to get a NEW building  warrant in Edinburgh.

Set a budget when planning for a renovation

Never go into a home renovation without setting a final budget. Always take into account that all the expenses estimated at the beginning will be 25% higher. Start the works only from the day when you will be sure that you have all the money at your disposal.

What Is the Difference Between Planning Permission & Building Warrant?

Planning permission is about your building appearance and layout, while building warrant is about the building meeting and complying with the building standards.A Building Warrant grants you permission for the design, structure and construction of the assessed works. It also includes fire protection and escape routes, drainage, energy performance, safety and wellbeing of occupants (users).Building warrants and planning permission are documents which asses and approve entirely separate legal requirements. They enforce to different features and aspects of construction development work. If you are going to plan carrying out a home renovation, then it’s important to check and find out if you need either one or both of them.The Planning Department is accredited to assess the exterior of the building structure, in terms of its appearance, layout plans and dimensions. They will also study the materials that will be used and the environmental existing conditions.Building Regulations (building standards in Scotland) is managing the technical aspects of the building design and building structure. Building Regulations department is entitled to check for compliance with current building regulations such as building resistance structure, energy performance, insulation quality, noise transfer levels, fire resistance etc.In Edinburgh, it will be considered an offence to start construction works that requires a building warrant, prior to a building warrant being approved and granted. It is also considered an offence to occupy a building without a certificate of completion, having been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council.The Building Scotland Act 2003 empowers Local Authorities Councils to take enforcement action in case work is performed without a granted Building Warrant or work is not complying with the approved Building Warrant conditions.

How long do building warrants take?

Usually, it takes 20 working days for a building warrant to be released.City of Edinburgh council will study and assess your registered application. This procedure might take around 20 working days.First step is submitting and registering a valid application and fee. At this stage, City of Edinburgh Council’s Building Standards Department will decide whether your requests meet and comply with Scottish Building Standards or not. If not, they will contact you and ask you for more documents and information.

What are building warrant drawings?

The building warrant application should contain structural calculations and structural drawings. Make sure that its included enough data about the proposed design, building and construction works to be carried out. This will help the Building Regulations Department to properly check for the compliance with the building standards.We would suggest you to hire an authorized Architect or Designer. They are certified to draw up and design detailed technical drawings. These drawings need to be submitted to the City of Edinburgh Building Standards Department.

Do I need a building warrant to move my kitchen?

Generally, most of the domestic works like moving kitchens or bathrooms won’t require a Building Regulations approval. So, a building warrant won’t be needed. This is available unless you are altering or changing the existing layout or plans. Then, approval may be needed.Planning permission might be required to move your kitchen if there may be specific building regulations that you need to comply with and follow.